Editor’s note: The November and December 2025 editions of the print Hownikan will be combined into one Holiday edition. The Legislative columns published here are available online only.
Steve Livingston
District 1
Bringing our people together
In my October Hownikan article, I outlined what the Bodéwadmi Confederation is and why I believed joining would benefit our Nation. I wrote that piece in late August/early September, just before the publishing deadline. I’m happy to share a timely update: as of our Sept. 25 legislative meeting, the Citizen Potawatomi Nation officially joined the Confederation!
We already participate in intertribal groups like the National Congress of American Indians and the United Indian Nations of Oklahoma. But this alliance is different — it reunites our Bodwéwadmik communities in the spirit of shared prosperity and community.
Shawnee trip and legislative meeting
I traveled to Shawnee for the week of the meeting to visit with friends, learn from our leaders and program directors, and spend time in our enterprises and surrounding communities. For those of us serving outside Oklahoma, I believe regular visits are essential. Much of what we vote on most directly affects citizens in Tecumseh, Shawnee and Pottawatomie County — and a strong local community benefits all of us, wherever we live.
I stayed at the new FireLake Hotel. The rooms were clean and comfortable, and the staff were welcoming. Midweek I was joined by Brenda Trevino, our new District 3 Legislator. Brenda is sharp, warm and clearly dedicated to the citizens she serves; I’m grateful we had time to connect and share ideas about how we can best serve our districts.
On Tuesday, I met with Secretary/Treasurer D. Wayne Trousdale and Vice-Chairman Linda Capps to discuss the budget and review our Annual Consolidated Financial Report (ACFR). Thoughtful planning for the future depends on a clear understanding of our past performance. They were generous with their time and open to every question. Even where we saw things differently, our conversation was respectful, thoughtful and productive.
Vice-Chairman Capps encouraged me to visit the new duplex housing at Citizen’s Place. The development — planned at 66 units — looks terrific: clean, modern homes with two to four bedrooms, each with a two-car garage, plus a community playground and storm shelter. Housing will be available to CPN and other Native families whose annual income is less than 80 percent of the national median, with funding through the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA). It’s a project we can all take pride in.
I also met with Education Director Rachel Watson and Cultural Heritage Center Director Blake Norton. We talked about how to better share information about services and benefits and how to expand awareness for citizens living in District 1. Many of us want more opportunities for cultural learning and community building — including virtual classes and partnerships with knowledgeable community members who can share their skills and stories. The conversations were very productive. I will continue to advocate for our district. You can find upcoming opportunities at cpndistrict1.com/events.
When the Legislature convened on Sept. 25, Chairman Barrett swore in Legislator Trevino, and we moved through a full agenda. The most meaningful moment for me was our vote to join the Bodéwadmi Confederation. Now that it is official, we must work to advance its stated goal: “to promote unity, cooperation, and mutual support among Nations, and to advance the interest and well-being of its citizens and Indigenous peoples.”
I’ve promised to be transparent and accessible in everything I do, to the extent that I can. If you’d like to see what I voted on and why, you can visit my vote record at cpndistrict1.com/vote-record.
Please stay in touch so I can keep you informed. You can email me at [email protected], call or text 419-654-4183, or connect on Facebook at facebook.com/district1cpn.
Steve Livingston | Legislator, District 1 | [email protected]
Eva Marie Carney
District 2
Bozho nikanek (Hello friends),
CPN Joins the Bodéwadmi Confederation
I have written in prior columns about my hope that our Nation would join the Bodéwadmi Confederation. That hope is now reality! In September, the Legislature voted at our quarterly meeting to join with the other Potawatomi Nations that have agreed to participate, including Forest County Potawatomi Community, Hannahville Indian Community, Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, Prairie Band Potawatomi Indian Nation, Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish (Gun Lake Potawatomi), Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, Walpole Island First Nation and Wasauksing First Nation.
The Articles of Confederation can be reviewed at cpn.news/articles. The Bodéwadmi Confederation will be governed by a rotating Executive Council, comprised of the Chief/Chairperson/President of each Nation or their designated delegate. CPN will take the Vice Chair seat, since we will be hosting the Bodéwadmi Gathering in 2027 (the Articles specify governance by an Executive Council that is comprised of representatives of the Tribes/Nations slated to host upcoming Bodéwadmi Gatherings). The Confederation will meet annually and conduct virtual business meetings, “work[ing] collectively toward furthering principles and policies that promote, defend, and enhance tribal sovereignty,” and “promoting each Nation’s general welfare, “ while acknowledging that each member Nation “retain[s] its own powers of self-government.” Please be on the lookout for updates on Confederation initiatives as these are developed and implemented.
Georgia Memories and Fall Feast On the Horizon
The Etowah Mounds near Cartersville, Georgia, was a wonderful place to meet in October – just ask the kiddos who were instructed on and then practiced shooting blowguns and throwing spears! About 35 Potawatomi and our family members attended. We swapped family histories and stories, got updates on CPN enterprises, initiatives, and benefits, ate lunch together, and then toured the museum and grounds. We recognized Nancy Wisgakkwe Zarzecki as our wisest, Elise Mtenose Cohen as our farthest travelled, and Keira, a sweet almost-five-year-old, as our youngest. Our host, Park Ranger Kevin Mardell, was informative and gracious; I am grateful to Dana Kishkokwe Rees who found the venue for us during recent travels from Tennessee. I have included a group photo; you can find many other photos posted on my Facebook page.
Please contact me, as Dana did, if you identify a venue that works well for a future D2 meeting. I will follow up!
Our annual District 2 Fall Feast is Saturday, Nov. 8. Details are in the postcard invitation. We will craft, and share information, family updates, and a family meal. Please bring an art contest entry with an Indigenous theme, if you are CPN, and bring favorite dishes to share, if you can. Children are welcome! The craft is appropriate for children 10 and up with one-to-one adult supervision. You do need to RSVP, so we have enough supplies!
Another new book by Robin Wall Kimmerer
CPN author Robin Wall Kimmerer has published her first picture book, Bud Finds Her Gift, beautifully illustrated by Naoko Stoop. I chuckled at this Amazon reviewer: “A beautiful homage to gratitude and attention, perfect for children . . . and dare I say adults alike! For those who love Braiding Sweetgrass and for those who don’t.” (This latest book is much shorter than Braiding Sweetgrass!). I will be giving a few copies away at our Fall Feast.
Connecting and Collecting Family News
Please stay connected as you are able; please share your family news as you have it!
Migwetch (Thank you),
Eva Marie Carney | Ojindiskwe (Bluebird Woman) | [email protected] | [email protected] | evamariecarney.com | PO Box 5595 | Arlington, VA 22205 | Toll Free: 888-849-1484 (voicemail)
Brenda Trevino
District 3
Bozho (Hello),
SEE YOU IN CORPUS CHRISTI JAN. 10, 2026
The first 2026 meet-and-greet for District 3 is shaping up to be informative and fun! The meeting will be held at the Corpus Christi downtown YMCA Community Center, 417 S Upper Broadway. The meeting is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with the program beginning at 10:30 a.m.
A light lunch will be provided for those who RSVP a minimum of two weeks before the meeting. During lunch, we’ll share available artisan information from District 3 and others who have provided their information for distribution.
The special topic for this meeting will be “Online Resources.” We will take a closer look at the CPN potawatomi.org website. Many self-help and benefit topics are found on the site. We will also talk about the CPN Portal and the importance of keeping our contact data current. The special topic will be recorded for those who couldn’t make the trip and will be posted online a day or two after the event.
Everyone will have the opportunity to introduce themselves and we will specifically highlight the family names that are planned for celebration at the Family Reunion in June 2026.
Give-aways will be distributed by raffle to multiple attendees as well as the oldest, youngest and those attending from farthest away.
If you are looking for other attractions while you are in Corpus, the USS Lexington, Texas State Aquarium and boat rides in the bay are close to the venue. Shoreline Drive is great for a walk, and restaurants are plentiful.
Remember, if the weather becomes difficult to travel on Jan. 10, Jan. 24 is our back-up date at the same location and time of day. Hopefully mother nature will comply, but this is also another reason for your RSVP; so, I can send out a notice to inform the attendees of the potential date change due to weather (two weeks later, the 24th).
If you can’t come to Corpus, the February meeting will be in The Woodlands. Follow along on the save-the-date calendar for the meeting closest to you. The goal is to make it as easy to attend as possible. Just like our meetings in Shawnee, the district meetings are for members, their spouses and immediate family. Bring your IDs for sign in.
Here is one more reminder to email me at [email protected] with your email address and any other contact information you consent to provide so you can receive emails directly from me. You can also call me at 281-466-7427.
Migwetch (Thank you),
Brenda Trevino | Mkedewankwetkwe (Black Cloud Woman) | [email protected] | 281-466-7427
Jon Boursaw
District 4
November, the month that we recognize the end of World War One, the month we honor those men and women who paid the supreme sacrifice protecting our country and flag and pay tribute to those currently serving at locations around the world.
Fellow Veterans and those who are currently serving, thank you for serving; stay safe.
Remembering the Wall
Have you ever visited the Wall, the Vietnam Veterans Wall? I have twice — once at the actual Wall in Washington, D.C., and recently again at the Traveling Wall in Emporia, Kansas, with my cousin, Joe Wulfkhule, Master Sergeant, USAF (Retired). We were stationed together at the Udorn AFB, a fighter base in northern Thailand. My first visit to the Wall in Washington, D.C., was in the early 90s. As I approached the Wall, for some reason I chose not to look at the names on the wall. This is the part you are going to find hard to believe. About half down the long wall I stopped and turned to face the wall. The first name I saw was that of a friend and fraternity brother at Washburn University. I was not aware of his death as I had entered the Air Force shortly after graduating. At the time of his death, he was a decorated Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps. I still get goose bumps when I think of that moment.
SITTING AT THE WALL, a poem
Families and Vets, come gather round
The Wall That Heals, is honored ground
Come pull up a chair and sit a spell
Set your thoughts at the Wall, till all is well.
‘Nam is far off, in the distant past
But keep good memories. Make ’em last
Remember good times, Recall your friends
Through you, their memory has no end.
Survivors guilt, you must carry no more.
Let it go. Set it free, on that distant shore.
Remember their lives, their stories, the fun.
And live your life. Your duties you’ve done
Your buddies would want you to know.
Through you they can live, vicariously though.
So tell of good times, their smile, their laugh
Or of the prank, where y’all got a bath.
They would want you to know, that it’s not wrong
To tell of their life in story, poem or song.
Yes, their story, they’d want you to give.
But sometimes first, there’s yourself to forgive.
Help them live on, by living yourself
Don’t place these life stories on a shelf.
Though not with you now, help them live on.
Retell their stories, saying “Once upon….”.
Upcoming CPN Elders’ Potlucks
Dates for the Elder Potlucks held in Rossville at noon are:
Nov. 14 | Thanksgiving Turkey | RSVP by the 11th
Dec. 12 | Roast Beef w/mashed potatoes | RSVP by the 9th
Bring your favorite side dish or dessert. Please RSVP to Tracy at 785-584-6171.
Contact Information
If you are not receiving emails from me, it is because I do not have your current email address or what I have is incorrect. All you need to do is email me your email address.
Megwetch (Thank you),
Jon Boursaw | Wetase Mkoh (Brave Bear) | [email protected] | 785-608-1982 | 2007 SW Gage Blvd. | Topeka, KS 66604 | Office Hours: Tuesday 9-11 a.m. | Thursdays 3-5 p.m. | Other times as requested